🔗 Share this article

It's a challenge for Australia to break new ground.

The highest peaks have already been conquered.

We're talking about the squad that has won seven Cricket World Cups, plus an additional six T20 titles, and earlier maintained nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The secondary achievements, the ones sought by the achievement hunters, are the only things left for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Century Aids Australia to Record Chase
• ICC Women's World Cup 2025 - Fixtures, Results & Scorecards
• Women's World Cup Table, Leading Batsmen & Wicket-Takers

It needed as late as Sunday's victory by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase exceeding 300, regaining their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, frankly, a compliment to the pitchers that have represented Australia over five decades.

It's challenging for their batters to hold a record if not provided the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was skipper Alyssa Healy getting a chance to produce her newest gem.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she first played in 2010 after Australia didn't secure either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups held the previous year and has witnessed all through 15 successful years since.

A T20 championship victory arrived three months after her debut and seven world titles have come from 10 attempts across formats.

The determined wicketkeeper was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to reevaluate our levels," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the title decider and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not come up short.

If this recent magnificent innings exceeded that prior achievement remains open for discussion.

Certain people claim the argument supporting the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and a loud pro-India audience of 20,000.

What's definite is this ton was far harder to anticipate.

The New Zealand onslaught in 2022 came as she was the highest scorer, but this knock was preceded by six games in India since the start of last month in which she had failed to pass 30.

"If you've been watching me in practice sessions, it was a disappointing period because it appeared my form was missing whatsoever," said Healy.

"However when you take the field, your competitive nature activate and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's fighting spirit has continuously been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was challenged by India's emerging talent Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, fallen to the emerging pace bowler in every game, but on this occasion it simply offered Healy's motivation.

A single was taken off Gaud's first delivery and from that point the right-hander was underway.

"The possibility to go out there and engage in competition with her and simply enjoy myself that way, kind of motivated me," stated Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 pitches - her quickest at the World Cup - and her century in 84 deliveries while she flogged anything short, striking 21 boundaries and three sixes.

When she was dismissed her side required another 66 at run per delivery - an unconquered height now requiring a leisurely stroll.

"Chasing 330 runs is new territory so I am glad we have the belief to do that now," stated Healy further.

"Ideally we won't need to do it again but, if necessary, we believe we can do it."

These statements will be the final thing Australia's opponents at this championship want to hear.

In recent days a sense they will succeed regardless of circumstances has grown stronger - this triumph succeeding victory over Pakistan by 107 run margin despite struggling at 76-7 at one stage.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a match against longtime competitors England in Indore in 10 days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they left the previous year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - an encounter Healy missed because of damaged tissue in her foot as she led her country for the inaugural occasion at a major tournament.

So great is her will, she later said she regretted not playing despite the injury.

But while she afterwards confessed those fitness problems have delayed consideration of ending her career, this championship is expected to be her concluding event as leader in 50-over cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as leader.

Success in India would bring her to the top of her last major obstacle.